Modular locking connectors for portable harness systems, methods and devices

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to modular locking connectors that enable discrete and fully separate components to be easily, quickly, and interchangeably connected together to result in a fully functional buoyancy compensator device. These separate components may include shoulders, waistbands, back panels, bladders or other buoyancy chambers, pockets including those for ballasting weights, and accessories such as knives, lights, signaling devices and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of thefollowing U.S. provisional patent application, which is incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/570,005, filed Oct. 9, 2017,and entitled “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES INCORPORATING A NOVEL MODULARCONNECTOR,” by Sullivan et al. (Attorney Docket239717.000172.ALUNG26PRV).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to modular locking connectors and devicesdesigned for use in underwater operations on swimming and diving gearincluding portable harness systems.

BACKGROUND

Presently, there are many types of harness systems including buoyancycompensator device designs that are used by scuba divers to controlbuoyancy underwater. The earliest types of buoyancy compensator devicedesign included an inflatable air cell in a life vest that was placedover the head and was positioned to lay flat on a scuba diver's chest.Unfortunately, this life vest style buoyancy compensator device was notcomfortable and would ride up the scuba diver's chest, which constrictedthe scuba diver's freedom of movement. To overcome this disadvantage,improved buoyancy compensator device vests were created in abackpack-style design.

In other versions of the backpack-style buoyancy compensator devicedesign, the backpack-style vest buoyancy compensator device included awaist belt. In some versions, the backpack-style buoyancy compensatordevice has inflatable air pockets integrated within the buoyancycompensator device. Other devices have a separate, inflatable air cellattached to the vest by a strap. Further versions of the backpack-stylebuoyancy compensator device include adjustable buckles on waist beltsand shoulder straps.

However, because backpack style buoyancy compensator devices aredifficult and expensive to manufacture due to their unique shape,limited size options of the buoyancy compensator device are available.In the backpack-style buoyancy compensator device designs currentlyavailable, the back portion, shoulder portions, and waist belt portion,are typically not removable. In some versions, some portions areremovable, but these buoyancy compensator device designs do not solvethe overall issue of limited size options. For example, a large sizebuoyancy compensator device will fit a tall scuba diver with small waistdifferently than a short scuba diver with a large waist, and willtypically be the only option available to both.

Previous modularity in buoyancy compensators was accomplished by avariety of means including hook and loop fasteners, grommets withthreaded fasteners, webbing with weave through fasteners, and siderelease buckles. All of these means had undesirable aspects. The hookand loop fastening method has several flaws. First the attachmentstrength is relatively weak. The attachment strength is reduced by waterexposure. The attachment strength is significantly reduced by cycling,exposure to chemicals, or exposure to debris. Lastly in order toovercome attachment strength limitations significant structural supportis required to be built into such previous buoyancy compensator devicesincluding sleeves or retention loops. The grommet (or any similarconstruction) and threaded fastener are deficient in that they requiresignificant time and tools to assemble the buoyancy compensator device.Also, a liability is the possibility of the loss of these fasteners whenswitching components, especially when in motion, in typical boatingoperations. Webbing woven through fasteners is deficient in that ittakes significant time and physical effort to weave the webbing throughthe fasteners. Additional deficiencies include the fact that the webbingis flexible and only constrains motion in one axis (plane), and thewebbing does not constrain rotation about any axis. Side release bucklesshare all deficiencies of the previous webbing solutions, with thepossible exception that they may be simple to assemble.

Thus, there is a need for a fully interchangeable, configurable, andadaptable buoyancy compensator device system, that allows for amultitude of size configurations to fit various sizes and configurationsof scuba divers. There is also a need for interchangeability of the corebuoyancy compensator device components, including a back component,shoulder components, and waist belt components. There is a further needfor each of the back, shoulder and waist components to be easily lockingand removable. There is also a need for each of the back, shoulder andwaist components to be extendable, adjustable or both.

Therefore, it is an objective of this disclosure to provide anembodiment of a buoyancy compensator device; comprised of correspondingback, shoulder, and waist belt components; which are fullyinterchangeable and configurable with a lock connector that is easilylocking, removable, extendable, adjustable or a combination of theseattributes.

Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a method ofmanufacture of a complete, fully adjustable buoyancy compensator deviceassembly, comprised of a removable back component, two removableshoulder components, and two removable waist belt components in fullycustomizable sizes and configurations.

A further objective of this disclosure is to provide an embodiment of amodular connector comprised of portions that lock into place anddisengage when necessary, or when desired by the user, and for use onportable harness devices including buoyancy compensators and the like.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a modular lockingconnector for use with one or more components of a buoyancy compensatordevice. Components of the buoyancy compensator device can be configuredand manufactured in discrete and fully separate elements that attach toeach other by means of one or more of the herein disclosed modularlocking connectors.

This disclosure provides a modular locking connector including a maleportion having a substantially flat base and a post. The flat basedefines the XY plane, and may have an area of reduced thickness aroundthe perimeter. The post has a length and an interior, and the length ofthe post defines the Z plane. One embodiment of the post is cylindricalin shape. The post protrudes perpendicularly from the flat base andincludes an enlarged top with a recess. The recess includes a cutoutaligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool. Theinterior surface of the post may include a ridge. The female portion hasa substantially flat base and a receiving area with a lip and a lock.The female base may also have an area of reduced thickness around theperimeter of the flat base for attachment purposes. The receiving areais raised and includes a retaining channel. The retaining channelincludes a lip and a lock. The lock consists of a flexible end andlocking end. In one embodiment, the female portion may be releasablyengaged with the male portion. An alternate embodiment of this modularlocking connector utilizes a radiused base instead of a flat base toallow the modular locking connector to be more stably attached to aradiused object. In one embodiment, the lock of the female portionincludes an engaging surface with a slanted edge, a beveled edge or thelike. In one embodiment, the male post may include a slanted edge,beveled edge or the like.

When the male and female portions are engaged and locked together, thefemale portion is able to freely rotate about the male portion. The malepost may be elongated and/or include a retaining channel on the femaleportion to prevent rotation about the Z axis when the portions areengaged and connected. When multiple male posts are provided on onebase, one or more posts may be elongated or contain detents, such that,when connected to the female portion, free rotation around the Z axis isprevented.

One embodiment of this disclosure of a buoyancy compensator assembly forscuba diving includes a back component, two shoulder components, twowaist belt components, a tank support, an air cell, and a ballastingweight system. The back component has two corresponding shoulderconnectors, two corresponding waist belt connectors and a correspondingtank support connector. The left and right waist belt components bothinclude a corresponding connector for connection to the back component.Both shoulder components include a corresponding connector forconnection to the back component. The back component, two waist beltcomponents, and the two shoulder components are fully configurable toprovide full adjustability for various users. In addition, toaccommodate a variety of users, each of the back component, waist beltcomponents, and the shoulder components can be fully interchangeable.

One embodiment of this buoyancy compensator device uses modular lockingconnectors to connect the parts together. The corresponding shoulder andwaist belt connectors on the back component, corresponding backconnectors on the left and right waist belt components, correspondingback connectors on the left and right shoulder components, and any otherincluded corresponding connectors may be the modular locking connectorsdescribed above.

This disclosure additionally relates to a method of creatingcustomizable buoyancy compensation devices from non-customizablecomponents. This is done not only by using configurable, interchangeablebuoyancy compensator components, but also by manufacturing the back,shoulder, and waist belt components in an ergonomically shaped skeletalstructure and adding padding to complete and customize the buoyancycompensator device as desired by a particular user. The buoyancycompensation device disclosed herein may also include a cover which isseparate from the buoyancy chamber and which may be constructed fromelastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the female portion ofthe modular locking connector.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the male portion ofthe modular locking connector.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a female portion when locked with a maleportion.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modular locking connector having a male portionwith two posts and an elongated female portion when separated.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a modular locking connector showing a maleportion with two posts on the base when locked with an elongated femaleportion.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of a female portion when locked with a maleportion.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an alternate embodiment female and maleportion having slanted locking features when locked together.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a male locking connector of the single postconfiguration locked with an elongated female portion.

FIG. 9 is an outside view of an embodiment of a buoyancy compensatordevice assembly.

FIG. 10 is an inside view of an embodiment of a buoyancy compensatordevice assembly.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a modular lockingconnector on a buoyancy compensator device assembly.

FIG. 12 is a view of a skeleton portion of a modular shoulder componentalongside its corresponding flexible padded tubing.

FIG. 13 is a view of the flexible padded tubing assembled onto theskeleton portion of a modular shoulder component.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an embodiment of an air chamber alongside itscover.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an embodiment of an air chamber with the coveron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular locking connector includes amale portion (200) and female portion (100).

As shown in FIG. 2, the male portion (200) has a flat base (202) whichdefines the XY plane. The flat base on the male portion may include anarea of reduced thickness (204) around the perimeter to enhance the easeof attachment of the connector through use of a sewing process. Althoughsewing is the most practical attachment method for attaching theconnector to an underwater device, any other method of attaching theconnector is plausible, such as gluing, welding, heat activated adhesiveor the like. The male portion includes a post (206) that protrudesperpendicularly out of the flat base (202), the length of the postdefining the Z plane. The post (206) on the male portion (200) includesan enlarged top (208), which serves to prevent separation along the Zaxis when engaged with the female portion (100). Another embodimentincludes more than one enlarged area of the post on the male portion.The interior of the post on the male portion includes a ridge (212) thatfunctions as structural reinforcement to the modular locking connectorwhen assembled. Another embodiment of the male connector includes aradiused base allowing secure connection to radiused components.

As shown in FIG. 1, the female portion (100) is comprised of a flat base(102) and a raised receiving area (104) with a retaining channel (108).Similarly to the male portion, the flat base may include an area ofreduced thickness (106) around the perimeter for use of a sewingprocess. The retaining channel includes a lip (110) around the interioredge and-a tongue or lock (116). The lock (116) includes a flexible end(112) and locking end (114), such that when the lock (116) is engagedwith the male portion (200), the female portion (100) is freely rotatingabout the male portion but restrained from translational movement.Another embodiment of the female connector includes a radiused baseallowing secure connection to radiused components.

Further, the post (206) on the male portion (200) includes a recess(214) for engagement with the lock (116) on the female portion (100).One side of the recess on the post of the male portion also includes acutout (210), which in this preferred embodiment can be circular or flatin shape, aligned in the XY plane, to allow easier insertion of arelease tool (such as a pen, screw driver or other ridged, elongatedobject) to disengage the lock (116) of the female portion (100). Inother embodiments, the recess can have various shapes. It is desirableto include access such that disengagement of the connector can beaccomplished without specialized tools. Of course any type of tool,including specialized tools, may be used and included with the modularlocking connector assembly. Likewise, the cutout could be any shapedaperture which allows for disengagement of the male portion (100) fromfemale portion (200). However, a preferred embodiment, as disclosedherein, provides for an easy, simple method of disengagement withoutspecial tools or complicated movements. It is desired to be able to useeasily accessible items, such as pens, keys, screwdrivers, paperclips,and the like, to disengage the female portion (100) form the maleportion (200). Additional embodiments of cutout (210) may be positionedanywhere along the XY plane. Further additional embodiments of thecutout (210) may be positioned completely through the post (206) on themale portion (200). Multiple cutout sections are also possible.Releasing of the male and female portions, once attached to each otherwith the connectors, can be configured to require tools, a specificorientation of the modular locking connector or its portions, or anunlocking “code” for disassembly allowing for a safe and secure lifesupport product, including a buoyancy compensator device.

The retaining channel (108) is manufactured in a shape to connect withthe post (206) on the male portion (200) and has one closed end. Thepreferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 show a retaining channel thatis in the shape of a “U.” But it will be appreciated that the retainingchannel can be in configured in other shapes that are closed at thesides and end to prevent separation along the Y axis as well as onedirection of the X axis. In the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, theretaining channel (108) is configured with lip (110) that, inconjunction with the larger portion of the post (208) on the maleportion, prevents separation along the Z axis.

As shown in FIG. 1 and described above, the tongue or lock (116)includes flexible end (112) and locking end (114). In the preferredembodiment of FIG. 1, the lock (116) includes a locking end (114) thatis biased to rest within the recess (214) in post (206) of the maleportion (200) to prevent separation of the modular connector along the Xaxis. Flexible end (112) provides the ability to use a tool to disengagethe male portion (100) from the female portion (200). In the preferredembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a disengagement tool (not shown) can beinserted into the cutout (210) of the post (206) of male component(200). Upon engagement, lock (116) and flexible end (112) move away fromthe enlarged top (208) of post (206) allowing lock (116) and flexibleend (112) to become displaced from male portion (200). Upondisengagement of lock (116) and flexible end (112) from post (206)separation of the male portion (200) from the female portion (100) canoccur. Such separation is achieved when male portion (200) and femaleportion (100) are moved relative to one another along the X axis.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, one preferred embodiment of the post (206) on themale portion (200) is cylindrical in shape, allowing for three hundredsixty degree (360°) free rotation when engaged (301 of FIG. 3) with arespective female portion. Such free rotation provides for ease of useduring the process of fitting a device having such modular lockingconnectors to a user, and provides for easier adjustability and removalof female portion (100) from male portion (200). Such ease of removal isparticularly evident when the connector is positioned and secured inplace on a device such as a buoyancy compensator or other safety device,as is described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking end (114) of the lock (116) ofthe female connector (100) may be configured with a slanted surface(705) instead of a flat surface (601). Additionally, the recess in themale portion (212) may also be slanted. These slanted surfaces provide areleasably locking engagement which allows the female portion (100) andmale portion (200) to disengage from each other in the event ofotherwise destructive loads being applied to them. Adjustments to thethickness of the lock (707) will allow adjustment to the load at whichthe disengagement occurs. Furthermore, adjustments to the angle of theslanted surfaces (212 and 705) with further adjust the load at which thedisengagement occurs. It will be appreciated that the angle of the firstslanted surface (212) and second slanted surface (705) need not beprecisely the same and this difference would provide further adjustmentof the disengagement load. An alternate embodiment of this feature isthe use of a beveled edge instead of a slanted edge (706).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the modular lockingconnector is designed to specifically resist rotation about the Z axis.In this embodiment, rotation around the Z axis is resisted. This isaccomplished by adding an additional male post (206) and lengthening thefemale retaining channel (108). Keeping the lock the same shape as thestandard modular locking connector enables the use of identical releasetools as well as having identical strength, release (and even the sameover force release) values. An alternate embodiment accomplishes thesame rotation resistance by elongating the male post instead of addingan additional one.

Elongation (or using multiple posts) allows keying connectors (and thusspecific modular locking buoyancy compensator device components,described below) to work in predetermined configurations and not others.It also is a clear visual indicator to a customer for where to attachspecific components. One embodiment of the male component includes asingle elongated post.

Another embodiment of the male component includes multiple posts (400),as seen on FIGS. 4 and 5. The male portion is intentionally symmetricallowing the inversion of buoyancy compensator device components.

Multiple posts on the male portion also allow for the design of astronger female component because such allows the use of two smallerretention channels instead of one larger channel as shown in FIG. 1. Itshould be noted that the standard male connector may be used with theelongated female connector as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, one of the femaleportion attachment points (FIG. 4) may be used with a male portion whichallows rotation (FIGS. 1-3) or a male portion which resists rotationabout the Z axis, such as the longer male post (FIG. 4).

The modular locking connectors disclosed are configured to be used withvarious safety devices including a buoyancy compensator device. As shownin FIGS. 9-11, the buoyancy compensator device disclosed includes a backcomponent (500), on which two of the basic modular locking connectors ofFIGS. 1-5 are attached near the top at shoulder connections (500A and500B). In addition, in the preferred embodiment, two more modularlocking connectors are attached at the lower sides at the waist beltconnections (500C and 500D). Additional embodiments may include a tankconnector (500F), the addition of lengthened design modular lockingconnectors generally along the sides of the back component (500E) or atother locations as desired for the application. Further, the preferredembodiment includes attaching female connectors to the back component(500) and place all connectors on the outside, or away from the diver.It may be appreciated, however that the connectors can be placed on theinside of back component (500), again depending on the desired use andconfiguration of the buoyancy compensator device. In addition, waistbelt components (506, 504) can also be included. Waist belt components(506, 504) may have one male modular connector on each (504A and 506A),allowing attachment to the back component (500). Similarly, the shouldercomponents (S02 and S03) can also include one male modular connector oneach shoulder component (502A, 503A) providing attachment to the backportion. A tank support and attachment may also be provided for use in adesired configuration. An air chamber (510) may also be included andattached to the buoyancy compensator device. Air chamber (510) may beheld in place on the back portion (500) by various connection methodsincluding a tank strap passing through retaining slots, an auxiliarystrap passing through retaining slots which may be secured around thetank by hook and loop fasteners, webbing straps that feed into and areretained by plastic fasteners on the shoulders, or the like. Aballasting weight system (512) may also be included and attached to theback portion (500) using the elongated connectors (500G) and may in apreferred embodiment attached to the waist belt components (504, 506) ina similar manner.

Multiple modular locking connectors can be used on any of the componentsto allow for positioning adjustments. For example, if two or moreconnectors are attached in a line to the end of a waist band, then thewaist band may be attached to the back component in multiple positionsallowing the waist band to be longer or shorter according to preferredassembly of the buoyancy compensator device. It is likewise possible toattach multiple connectors to the back component to accomplish similaradjustments, releasable adjustments, configurations or the like.Similarly, the back portion could be configured with the male portionsof the modular connector instead, or even a combination of male andfemale portions to further constrain or instruct the assemblyconfiguration options.

In addition, it is possible to split the back portion into a top sectionand a bottom section with multiple modular connectors implemented toallow shortening or lengthening of the assembled back portion andbuoyancy compensation device.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, air chamber (510)is modular and can be configured with a separate cover that may provideadditional benefits. Since the separate cover does not actually holdair, it is free to be made of highly elastic material (such as neoprene,lycra, spandex, etc.) without limitations required by airimpermeability. Such highly elastic materials allow the covered airchamber to be tucked away and stored until needed, at which time theelastic material may stretch out of the way and allow the air chamber(510) to expand. In addition, the air chamber (510) may include a coverwhich provides a canvas for branding and advertising, including the useof various types of decoration, impressions, artistic images, colors andthe like. In addition, a cover may be provided which is completelyindependent from the air chamber (510), and can be made out oflightweight and disposable materials allowing the customer to change thelook of their product as desired without significant cost.

The use of the disclosed modular locking connectors provides a buoyancycompensator device that allows individualized custom sizing of a productusing non-custom components. As disclosed herein, the preferredembodiment provides custom sizing including standard small, medium andlarge size capabilities. In addition, the preferred embodiments of thedisclosed buoyancy compensator device allow it to be configured so thatall of the different sized components are fully compatible with eachother and fully interchangeable. For example, a large back panel may beused with medium shoulders and small waistbands. Given the initialexample of three different sizes of small, medium, and large, there are27 different size configurations that are possible. Multiple sizeconfigurations result in the ability to create a custom fit device,including a customizable buoyancy compensator device, for any given bodytype or size. Other components, including the air chamber such as airchamber (510), can also be configured to be in different sizes andlikewise be fully compatible with any given sizing configuration.

This interchangeability of different components is also applicableacross product platforms. For example, a lightweight buoyancycompensator device model could be configured with waistbands from a moredeluxe model if the diver wishes to have more padding on their waist.Alternately different components can be configured towards specificdiving activities (like photography, research, fishing, search andrescue, etc.) all of which require a different set of features such asattachment points, pockets, durability, reflectiveness, and visibility.Many options for customizable configuration are available including butnot limited to features, colors, and comfort.

Another benefit of manufacturing in components or modules is the abilityto manufacture many of the components in a customizable manner. As seenin FIGS. 12 and 13, the modular nature of the components of thisdisclosure enables the method of creating a simple support portion(120), such as a skeleton (125), to which the structural elements of thecomponent are attached. For example, on a shoulder component, themodular connectors, buckles (121), straps (122), and d-rings (123) wouldbe attached to the skeleton (120). Padding and other ergonomic featuresare then configured in a flexible tube fashion (124) into which thesupport portion is inserted. The flexible tube, when inserted into thesupport portion conforms to the shape of the support portion (120) asshown in FIG. 13. This allows for the straightforward manufacturing ofshapes that would otherwise be too difficult or time consuming toproduct.

Further novel to this modular design is the manufacturing, packaging,and sale of the components individually, allowing for the end user topurchase a custom configured product direct from the manufacturer.

Reference throughout this specification to “the embodiment,” “thisembodiment,” “the previous embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “a preferred embodiment” “another preferred embodiment” orsimilar language means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in the embodiment, “in this embodiment,” “in theprevious embodiment, in one embodiment, in an embodiment,” “in apreferred embodiment,” “in another preferred embodiment,” and similarlanguage throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, allrefer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention. While thepresent invention has been described in connection with certainexemplary or specific embodiments, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on thecontrary, is intended to cover various modifications, alternatives,modifications and equivalent arrangement as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Any such changes, modifications, alternative,equivalents and the like may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular locking connector comprising: a maleportion having a substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XYplane, and a post, having a length and an interior, the length of thepost defining a Z plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base,the post including an enlarged top with a recess, and the post includinga cutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool,and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and a femaleportion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with aretaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible endand locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the femaleportion is freely rotating about the male portion.
 2. The modularlocking connectors of claim 1 wherein there is an area of reducedthickness around the perimeter of the flat base.
 3. The modular lockingconnector of claim 2 wherein the interior surface of the post has aridge.
 4. The modular locking connector of claim 3 where the post iscylindrical in shape.
 5. The modular locking connector of claim 4wherein the lock of the female portion when engaged with the maleportion is releasable.
 6. The modular locking connector of claim 4wherein the lock of the female portion includes an engaging surface witha slanted edge.
 7. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein thelock of the female portion includes an engaging surface with a bevelededge.
 8. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein an edge of therecess of the male post portion includes an engaging surface with aslanted edge.
 9. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein theedge of the recess of the male post portion includes an engaging surfacewith a beveled edge.
 10. The modular locking connector of claim 1including multiple posts protruding perpendicularly out of the flat baseon the male portion.
 11. The modular locking connector of claim 10including multiple posts on the male portion and an elongated retainingchannel on the female portion which, when connected, prevents rotationaround the Z axis.
 12. The modular locking connector of claim 10including multiple posts on the male portion and multiple retainingchannels on the female portion.
 13. The modular locking connector ofclaim 1 wherein the post on the male portion we is non-cylindrical,forming detents such that, when connected to the female portion, freerotation about the Z axis is prevented.
 14. A buoyancy compensatorassembly for scuba diving comprising: a. A back component having twocorresponding shoulder connectors, two corresponding waist connectors,and a corresponding tank support connector; b. A left waist beltcomponent which includes a corresponding connector for connection to theback component; c. A right waist belt component which includes acorresponding connector for connection to the back component; d. A leftshoulder component which includes a corresponding connector forconnection to the back component; e. A right shoulder component whichincludes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component;f. An air cell; and g. A tank support, wherein the back component, thetwo waist belt components, and the two shoulder components areinterchangeable.
 15. The buoyancy compensator of claim 14 wherein thecorresponding shoulder and waist belt connectors on the back component,corresponding back connectors on the left and right waist beltcomponents, corresponding back connectors on the left and right shouldercomponents, and any other included corresponding connectors are themodular locking connectors of claim 1 comprising: a male portion havinga substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XY plane, and apost, having a length and an interior, the length of the post defining aZ plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base, the postincluding an enlarged top with a recess, and the post including acutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool,and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and a femaleportion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with aretaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible endand locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the femaleportion is freely rotating about the male portion.
 16. The buoyancycompensator of claim 15 further including a weight ballasting systemhaving the modular locking connectors of claim 1 for connection to anyof the modular components, having modular locking connectors forconnection to the two weight ballasting systems.
 17. The buoyancycompensator of claim 15 wherein multiple back components, waist beltcomponents, or shoulder components are connected to another component ofthe same type whereby the waist belt component is lengthened or the backcomponent is enlarged.
 18. The buoyancy compensator of claim 17 whereinthe multiple back components, waist, belt components or shouldercomponents are connected to another component of the same type with amodular locking connector of claim
 1. 19. The buoyancy compensator ofclaim 15 wherein the back component is split into a top back componentand a bottom back component with multiple modular connectors forconnecting the top component and the bottom component to anothercomponent of the same type thereby shortening or lengthening theassembled back component.
 20. A method of manufacturing a buoyancycompensator including manufacturing a back component, manufacturingshoulder components, and manufacturing waist belt components, which areconnectable to each other and when connected create a skeleton structurewhich provides interchangeability of each of the back component,shoulder components, and waist belt components to provide full assemblyof a customized buoyancy compensator.
 21. The method of manufacturing abuoyancy compensator of claim 20, further including providing releasablylocking connectors on each of the back component, shoulder componentsand waist belt components.
 22. The method of manufacturing components ofa buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein the components aremanufactured with an ergonomically shaped skeleton structure over whicha flexible tube of padding material is stretched, creating a paddedstructure which conforms to the ergonomic shape of the skeletonstructure.
 23. The method of manufacturing a cover for a buoyancychamber of a buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein the cover isseparate from the buoyancy chamber and is constructed from an elasticmaterial.